A. L. Buehrer What I Write and Why

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Interveiw With Valhalse Coharnah, antagonist of The Stardrift Trilogy

Sorry for the pause. That was for suspense, of course. Very calculated. Now, here's what you've been waiting for: an interview with the villain.

What
is your goal as the ruler of Divizah?

My
aspirations change with the wind. I’ve told some people I would resurrect
theocracy—only partially in jest. I used to be such a romantic. I would do
anything if I would be worshipped for it. But after a while I realized that
gods are all too often manipulated by those who take a more underhanded
approach. I don’t know what I want right now, besides possibly to shake off
certain political shackles—alliances, that’s what they call them—that keep
Divizah so pitifully domesticated.

How
do you see yourself?

I…I’m
not sure. It depends very much on perspective. Much of what I’ve been through
has stayed with me. I see myself through the eyes of those around me sometimes.
I used to try to see that way more often, but I grew to hate it. I hate what other
people see, but I could care less if they continue to see it. People’s opinions
don’t matter at all.

What
is your take on humanity in general?

Humanity
is ultimately tragic. So many people die chasing after something unattainable,
impermanent, or altogether imaginary. A waste of lives. A waste of passion.
I’ve tried reasoning with them. They don’t listen. Masses only trust their
emotions—particularly their fear.

What
is your greatest fear?

Fear?
What would I be afraid of? I couldn’t say I have any fears…it wouldn’t be good
for public relations. Everything’s alright most of the time. I used to think
more about…things when I was younger, when I had just taken my position as sovereign.
I’ve been trying not to brood so much lately. There isn’t any sense in worrying
about it anymore…but I didn’t use to wake up in the night, like I do now.

Have
you ever done anything you were ashamed of?

Shame
very often comes from acting without weighing the consequences. I struggle with
an internal discord between very passionate emotions and a need for a very
strong strategy. You have to be extremely cautious as a Divizin sovereign. You
live a public life and are constrained to meet rigorous expectations. Tiny
mistakes still pile up in time, though. I’m both ashamed of everything and of
nothing I’ve ever done.

From
what do you derive satisfaction?

Nothing!
No, I guess there must be something…some small thing. I like it when I walk
into a room and I can feel a surge of awe run through everyone there. I enjoy
paralyzing someone who attempts to oppose me. I have it down to an art. All of
my human interaction has become very nuanced and adapted to create the desired
effect. A Divizin sovereign is no mere mortal and never truly satisfied until
they cease to be treated as such. I also like breaking glass. It has a
guaranteed shock effect every time.

Is
the Universe chaos or a plotted design?

Oh, a
beautiful design—plotted no doubt, for self-destruct from the beginning of
time, but nonetheless beautiful. The streamlined perfection of the design has
always intrigued and, in light of everything that’s happened, almost amused me
somehow. I think I’m beginning to understand now. With all the stardust, and
heroism, and DNA and tears, it was all meant as a joke, after all--a bitter,
morbid joke for those of us who get it.